Missouri Botanical Garden visits South Africa in Springtime - September 17 to 30 - 2006 FLORA, NATURAL HISTORY & CULTURE

Sposored by The Missouri Botanical Garden

Escorted by Dr. Peter Raven & Dr. Patricia Raven

In the South African veld people sit around a camp fire. Above, the Milky Way galaxy pulsates with the light of a billion stars. There’s animated conversation, recounting the day’s adventures – a lioness with cubs seen here; a fish eagle dives into the river; the spoor of a rhino tracked through miles of bush. After a while the talk ceases, giving way to contemplation. This is Africa’s magic at work; keeping away stresses, problems, worries, brought to this place from the cities of the modern world.

Of course the wilderness of grasslands, marshes, forests, wild animals, and safari camps, is only one aspect of South Africa – which for many years used the slogan ‘a world in one country’ to promote tourism. Some of the other ‘worlds’ to be seen in this tour are cities with fascinatingly different histories and cultures; sub tropical beaches; centuries-old winery estates; fertile valleys that wind between soaring mountains. Our hotels have been selected for location, tasteful elegance and fine service. Cuisine in South Africa’s better hotels and restaurants is of high standard – with seafood often outstanding. Be prepared for some wonderful and exotic flavors.

This Missouri Botanical Garden journey begins in a great world city – Johannesburg - which sprang out of the veld after 1886 when gold was discovered on a lonely farm, in an obscure ‘Boer Republic’. It is interesting to reflect, as we travel around, that everything we see results from the wealth created by gold. Gold shaped the social and political structure as well – dooming the original republic, creating the British-style Union of South Africa and later a new Republic of South Africa planned on racial divisions. Now, in post-apartheid South Africa, Johannesburg - for so long the industrial and financial hub of Africa - has the freedom to become even greater.

Dr. Peter Raven’s work in the Missouri Botanical Garden and the National Academy of Sciences has led him to take a keen interest in South Africa’s National Botanic Institute and its National Botanic Gardens, some of which will be visited during this tour. Since South Africa has about 10% of all world plant species, the country has an important role to play in plant ecology. Some of the plant scientists you will meet during this tour, colleagues and friends of Dr. Raven, have made important contributions to botanical knowledge and all are committed to preaching the urgency of plant conservation. You can expect some lively discussions when you meet these people at their workplace, or over a cup of coffee or glass of wine.

Arranging botanical tours to South Africa since 1977 tour of the garden enjoy a special lunch 20 SEP WED The morning will be Itinerary with members of the staff. Skirting free to enjoy the splendid amenities of Johannesburg, travel to Pretoria, the the resort – there is a championship 17 SEP SUN Tour arrangements nation’s capital city. Avenues lined with golf course, a spa, tennis and commence today at Johannesburg Jacaranda trees are a special treat in swimming. Optional excursions are International Airport with “Meet and springtime Pretoria, and though August available through the concierge, such Greet” service provided on an as a visit to a traditional Zulu village in individual basis, according to your the Valley of a Thousand Hills. This arrival flight. Transfer by hotel shuttle afternoon, a special visit has been bus - about 20 minutes - to the modern arranged to U’Shaka Marine World, a and sophisticated suburb of Sandton, conservation center that includes a which lies a few miles north of breeding colony of African Penguins, downtown Johannesburg. Tour with dinner provided after a guided tour participants gather as a group for the of the facility. (B,D) first time this evening at a special Zimbali Lodge welcome dinner, with hosts Dr. Peter Union Buildings Raven, Dr. Patricia Raven, and their 21 SEP THU Early departure along South African colleague Christopher is the peak blossom time, we may still the Dolphin Coast highway to Dalzell who will accompany the group hope for something of a show. At Maputaland, which occupies the for the first week. (D) Pretoria National Botanic Garden we northern part of Kwa Zulu-Natal will be greeted by the staff and treated Province. Included in this region is the Sandton Sun Intercontinental to a private tour, including the National Greater St. Lucia Wetland Park, a Herbarium with its huge collection of World Heritage Site. African plant specimens. Next we visit As today’s drive covers over 200 miles the Union Buildings – a classically there will be stops, notably at the designed structure that houses the Raphia Palms reserve near Mtunzini executive branch of government . (B,L) which is also home to very rare Palm Nut vultures.Our destination is a game Sandton Sun Intercontinental reserve owned by Conservation Corporation (CC AFRICA) where the company’s sustainable travel 19 SEP TUE Coach transfer to philosophy is seen at its best. With Sandton City Johannesburg International Airport. diverse biomes, a large variety of A morning flight departure of about one animals and thrilling day and night 18 SEP MON After breakfast in the hour to Durban. The change of climate expeditions in the wilderness, memories hotel, a full day’s excursion by motor is abrupt - from the high thin air of of Phinda visit will be treasured for coach will cross a wide area of the Johannesburg to moist coastal air; years to come. After check-in and Witwatersrand - a name taken from from dry grassland to lush sub-tropical lunch, the program begins with a the ridge of low hills, beneath which trees and shrubs. sundown cruise through Mzinene River lies the the world’s most fabulous gold At Durban Botanical Garden a picnic channels. Listen for the calls of 200 bearing reef. Modern freeways and lunch and tour has been arranged by bird species and to a myriad of singing broad avenues connect the highrise our guide Chris Dalzell, who is also insects among the reeds and in the buildings of downtown Johannesburg Curator of this wonderful Garden branches of fever trees; the splash of to smart suburbs, vast industrial located in the heart of the city. A special fish and crocodile, and hippo snorting. zones, and sprawling apartheid-era attraction is the highly regarded orchid Night comes quickly at Phinda and townships such as Soweto. A house. Our next stop is the Medicinal after sipping a hot drink, or maybe in patchwork of urban shanty towns Market where traditional African (and true safari style an ice cold gin & tonic, spreads throughout the booming particularly Zulu) healing practices will the drive back to the lodge will be metropolis, for the ‘City of Gold’ be explained. At Silverglen Medicinal interrupted with spotlight viewing of attracts people from all over Africa, Plant Nursery you will see a great interesting nocturnal creatures. as it has done for the past hundred variety of plants that were formerly only (B,L,D) years. A defining landscape feature available by collection in the wild and Phinda Resource Reserve today is the ‘mine dump’ - low, whitish thus became endangered. Traveling hills of crushed ore from which the along the Marine Parade, we pass 22 SEP FRI A full day at Phinda gold has been extracted, spaced at Durban’s renowned surfing beaches may start with a wake up call (sunrise intervals along the fifty mile long route and continue to our resort hotel on this eastern edge of South Africa of the reef. Our first stop is at Walter overlooking the Indian Ocean just north is soon after 5:00 a.m.), hot coffee Sisulu National Botanic Garden in of Durban. (B,L) and freshly baked rolls. Then, aboard Roodepoort, a town that grew out of Zimbali Lodge a landrover with naturalist guide and an early mining camp. After a guided 24 SEP SUN From the city we’ll 25 SEP MON On a recent visit to make a full circuit of the Cape , Drs. Peter and Patricia Peninsula. Cosmopolitan - Raven discovered Bartholomeus Klip, a one-stop wheat & sheep farm, luxury guest lodge and private nature reserve. This is springtime and scattered over the veld are at least 800 species of Cape Floral Region plants - we should see many daisies, succulents and flowering bulbs. On the slopes of Elandskloof Mountain and around Voelvlei (a reservoir) tracker, explore the rocky foothills of we scout for springbok, gemsbok the Ubombo Mountains; follow sandy wildebeest, jackal and bat eared-foxes, trails through dense bushland or splash to name a few of the wild animals that through grassy wetlands (Phinda have been reintroduced here. There encompasses 7 distinct ecosystems). blocks of high rise apartments fronting are many birds - from tiny colorful When suddenly the engine is switched the sea; Clifton - designer-homes finches and weaver birds to the blue off and the vehicle lurches to a stop, poised above curving white beaches. crane and soaring eagles. Lunch, watch where the tracker points: there From Camp’s Bay southwards there including typical Cape dishes, will be could be a pair of cheetah, a pride of are few structures, on one side Atlantic provided in the farmhouse. A circular lions, elephants, a leopard in a tree, waves surge against granite rocks, on route from Cape Town and back will vervet monkeys, a black rhino, or the other the mountain rises steeply, take in historic small towns and villages delicately striped nyala antelopes. Back its flanks covered in ‘fynbos’ vegetation of the rich ‘Swartland’ agricultural in camp, a lavish buffet breakfast is of proteas and heathers. is country devoted to wheat, deciduous served. Guests then plan the rest of a picturesque fishing harbor - a tourist fruit and viticulture. (B,L) their day: some deciding to do nothing attraction but one where many locals Mount Nelson Hotel but enjoy the peaceful scene from the still buy their fish directly off the boats. poolside terrace; others joining a Chapman’s Peak Drive, high above the guided bush walk or booking the ocean, is as dramatic as California’s (optional expense) flight to Sodwana Big Sur or the French Riviera. Near its Bay for scuba diving along the coral southern end, the Peninsula narrows, reef. The afternoon has choices too, finally tapering to a knife edge of rock. like the tradition of Tea, the sundown From a viewing platform you may notice game drive, the cocktail hour. Dinner cold Atlantic waters mixing with a warm is served under the stars in a fenced- current from the Indian Ocean. Besides in ‘boma’, with candlelight and a spectacular scenery, this is a nature cheerful camp fire. (B,L,D) reserve protecting a brilliant array of flowering plants: bulbs such as Phinda Resource Reserve moraeas, watsonia, and gladiolus; proteas and many species of heath- Lanzerac, Stellenbosch like ericas give a moor-like appearance to the wind swept plateau. Antelope, 26 SEP TUE The aerial cableway 23 SEP SAT Early risers can have including eland and bontebok find a will take us (weather permitting) to the one more game drive before breakfast, home here, as well as zebra, ostrich top of from where the packing and the return trip to Durban and several baboon troops. Returning panorama takes in the entire airport. After a two hour flight, arrive via Simon’s Town , we stop to see a Peninsula, the distant mountain ranges in Cape Town and transfer by coach resident colony of African penguins. and the surrounding ocean. The rest to a stately Colonial-style hotel located Along the wooded eastern side of Table of the day will be at Kirstenbosch in the historic Gardens district ( named Mountain, we drive through the National Botanic Garden, one of ‘the for the original Dutch East India fashionable suburbs of Constantia, great gardens of the world.’ Company vegetable gardens). A hotel Newlands and the Kirstenbosch is devoted to cultivating ‘welcome dinner’ will introduce the Estate, bequeathed by Cecil Rhodes African plants and is organized in group to Dr. John Manning, to the people of South Africa. Evening sections, each one brilliantly distinguished botanical author and free for individual activities. landscaped against the fabulous scientist, who will accompany the tour (B,L) background of Table Mountain. You for the next week. Mount Nelson Hotel can set your own pace for a garden (B,D) ramble, then visit the book shop (10% Mount Nelson Hotel discount if you join the Botanical Motte still flourish and produce world- magnificent Kogelberg biosphere class wines. We visit a few estates, reserve. Harold Porter is a particularly tour historic buildings and taste wine, good spot to see Protea cynaroides, with a lunch stop among the vineyards. the ‘King Protea’ that is South Africa’s We’ll visit Stellenbosch, the second national flower. Tonight, a ‘farewell’ oldest town in South Africa, with a long dinner party will be held in the Officers’ history as a cultural and educational Mess at the (Cape center. Driving along the town’s broad Town Castle) where we are invited as oak-lined avenues we see fine guests of the garrison regiment - The buildings in the Cape Georgian style, Duke of Edinburgh’s Rifles. The ‘Dukes’ Upper Cable Station take time to browse art and as they have always been known, were African-crafts boutiques or founded during British Colonial times enjoy coffee in a student cafe. in the 1850’s and served in Allied Return to Cape Town for dinner armies during the two World Wars of on own and individual activities. the 20th century. The Castle itself was (B,L) built in 1674 by the Dutch East India Company and shows its history Mount Nelson Hotel through collections of art, furnishings, silverware and fine porcelain. (B,D)

Mount Nelson Hotel 28 SEP THU Morning: A tour of central Cape Town will 30 SEP SAT Transfers to the highlight 18th and 19th century airport will be provided (cost included View above Kirstenbosch buildings, including townhouses once in basic tour price) according to occupied by prosperous burghers in individual participants flight schedules. Society) and well stocked African- the time of the Dutch East India Drop off at Cape Town International theme gift shop. For lunch, choose Company. The Bo-Kaap Museum tells airport. (B) See separate brochure for from three restaurants. Late this the fascinating history of slaves brought extension tour offer - Victoria Falls & afternoon, Missouri Botanical Garden from Indonesia in the 1700’s and their Botswana Safari. tour members have been invited to a descendants who gave the ‘Malay’ special reception and light supper by Quarter a distinctive atmosphere. Dr. John Manning and his colleagues Continue to The Waterfront which is a and friends of the National Botanic very upscale development of top hotels, Institute. (B,D) specialty boutiques and numerous restaurants. Here you may have lunch Mount Nelson Hotel surrounded by the comings and goings of tugs, fishing boats, yachts and 27 SEP WED Grape vines were ocean-going ships - with Table planted soon after the Dutch arrived Mountain looming above. Afternoon: in the Cape and wine was made at Included: choice of tour as early as 1685 - (Mandela’s former prison-site) or as it still is today. When French African Township tour (the real lifestyle Huguenot refugees arrived in the for the vast majority of South Africans). valley now called Franschhoek, Evening free for individual activities. viticulture and wine making spread (B) through the districts of Stellenboch and Mount Nelson Hotel Mount Nelson Hotel Paarl. This Cape Winelands route, meandering through the Franschhoek and Drakenstein valleys, below 29 SEP FRI For the final day, we towering mountain ranges, has travel across the and over The nothing comparable in the world. We Sir Lowry’s Pass to the attractive Waterfront shall see many stately Cape Dutch- seaside resort of Hermanus. At this time style homesteads: some, dating from of year southern Right Whales visit the late 17th through early 18th Walker Bay in considerable numbers century, were built by Huguenots and and are usually seen only yards from named for their lost homelands. the clifftop walking path. A stop will be Grande Provence, L’Ormarins, La made at the small Harold Porter National Botanic Garden, part of the TOUR PRICE - per person. $6,300 Price based on 25 - 30 participants. Supplement for single accommodations $2,750

INCLUDED IN PRICE: All accommodations as indicated in the itinerary, at named establishments or substitutes of similar standard and price. Land transportation as indicated in itinerary by chartered motor coach, passenger van, microbus, car, 4WD safari vehicle, and boat, as appropriate. Air travel within South Africa, by scheduled air carrier, as listed in the itinerary. Meals as indicated in the itinerary by the symbols B=breakfast, L=lunch, D=dinner. Sightseeing tours and excursions. Entrance fees and park service fees as applicable. Taxes as levied by local authorities. Hotel service charges and gratuities to hotel and restaurant employees. Carriage and porterage of one average-size suitcase per person. Services of qualified drivers, driver- guides, national tourism guides and specialist botanical and naturalist guides. Charges for planning, preparation and operation of the tour as applicable to Geostar Travel and various local tour operators in South Africa. Contribution to Missouri Botanical Gardens. All tour prices are based on fares, tariffs and currency rates of exchange in effect as of 01/15/2006 and are subject to change.

NOT INCLUDED: International air travel to and from South Africa. Air ticket taxes and airport departure taxes in connection with international flights. Passport and visa costs. Personal items such as phone calls, laundry, room service, beverages that are not included with meals. The customary, but optional, gratuities to driver guides or national tour guides after multi-day motor coach touring and - at safari lodges - to personal guides, trackers, and dining room staff.

RESERVATIONS & PAYMENTS: To secure a reservation, please complete the Trip Questionnaire & Application form and forward it with a deposit of $600 per person to Geostar Travel (per check or credit card authorization). The full tour payment is due 60 days before the tour commencement date unless notice is given of an earlier date that may be required to meet hotel payment conditions. The prices represent a cash discount and if final payment is not by means of cash or a check, the full price, which is 2.5% more than the cash price, will apply. Acceptable credit cards are Visa, MasterCard, American Express.

CANCELLATION & REFUNDS: The deposit is refundable, less a service charge of $250 per person if you cancel more than 90 days before tour commencement. For cancellation less than 90 days, but more than 60 days, from commencement, the charge will be $600 [due to non-refundable terms applied by certain lodges with very limited capacity]. Less than 60 days from tour commencement the minimum cancellation charge will be $600 and any refund will be limited to amounts actually recovered from suppliers (hotels, transport companies etc.). Trip cancellation insurance is available and is recommended strongly by Geostar Travel and Missouri Botanical Garden.

DOCUMENTATION: A valid passport is required for entry into South Africa and return to the United States. Visa is not required for U.S. passport holders joining this tour. Non-U.S. citizens should ascertain if they need a South African visa by contacting the nearest South African embassy or consulate. There are no required immunizations for persons traveling directly from the U.S. to South Africa. All governments (including the USA) may at any time change their rules for entry and reentry and have the right to refuse entry for any reason. South Africa, notably, has sometimes refused entry to travelers who have fewer than two blank visa pages in their passports. Some countries have required that a passport be valid for a specified time (e.g. 6 months) beyond the travelers arrival date. Because of these arbitrary and changeable rules it is imperative that tour participants accept sole responsibility for verifying the passport, visa, health and other requirements for each destination, and for reentry to the United States or their country of residence. In the U.S. travelers should check requirements with the embassy or consulate of countries concerned and by consulting the U.S. Department of State - Travel Advisory Section [ internet address http://travel.state.gov] Geostar will endeavor to obtain and pass on to tour participants any relevant travel information or warnings that may be issued but Geostar will not accept any liability for damages that result from the actions of any government.

RISKS & HEALTH CONSIDERATIONS: There are inherent risks in joining this tour and all participants will be asked to sign a Release stating that they are aware of such risks and that they hold harmless Geostar and its affiliates from any damages that may result. It is the sole responsibility of tour participants to decide if they are fit enough for the included activities. This tour does not visit any declared malaria zones, though there has been some incidence in coastal Kwa Zulu Natal Province near the Mozambique border. South Africa’s Kruger National Park is in a malaria zone and the disease is prevalent in parts of neighbouring countries. Geostar recommends that you consult your personal physician prior to taking this tour. Health advisories are also available from the U.S. Government Center for Disease Control www.cdc.gov and from the State Dept. http://travel.state.gov VICTORIA FALLS & BOTSWANA

September 30 - October 5, 2006

This Central Africa adventure is a natural extension to the Missouri Botanical Garden’s South Africa in Springtime expedition with Drs. Peter and Patricia Raven Itinerary

30 SEP SAT Leave the hotel at about 8:00 this morning and transfer to Cape Town airport for a two-hour South African Airways flight to Johannesburg. Continuing on South African Airways international service, fly northward over the country of Zimbabwe. The landing approach to Livingstone airport, Zambia, is over the Zambezi River and Victoria Falls. The drive from airport to hotel through Livingstone town is a distinct contrast to the sprawling cities of South Africa. This is tropical Central Africa, though climate is much modified by the elevation above sea level. After check in there will be time to admire the view from the terraced lawns that front the Zambezi, hearing the roar and seeing the spray as the river plunges over the ‘Falls’ - Musi-oa-Tunya – in the native language. An optional ‘Sundowner’ cruise is available, gliding along the Zambezi River to view the wonderful trees and animals along the river banks and islands. Royal Livingstone Hotel

01 OCT SUN A few minutes walk from the hotel the Eastern Cataract outlook provides your first close up view of the falls. A paved footpath, on the lip of the gorge provides spectacular views of the falling curtain of water directly opposite. The sound thunders all around and every now and then you’re pelted with warm rain as the spray swirls across the gorge. There’s an interesting geological museum and an outdoor crafts market at the parking lot, worth checking out before returning to the hotel. Many optional trips are available: the city of Livingstone has many excellent art and craft galleries; aerial tours by microlight or helicopter; river rafting; bungee jumping from the Falls Bridge! (B) Royal Livingstone Hotel

02 OCT MON The overland transfer to our next destination is an adventure in itself, giving a close up view of life in Central Africa, of modern civic buildings, town homes, smallholdings, schools and playing fields. People go to and from the town - on foot, by African-style taxi, wheezing bus or flatbed truck. Passing through a national park, the long straight tar road is lined with beautiful trees, from which eagles and vultures scan their territory. At Kazangula take a ferry across the Zambezi to the Botswana side and then drive to our lodge in Chobe National Park. Meandering through a vast flood plain, the Chobe River sustains a wealth of animal life. A boat ride before dinner, gliding quietly along river channels, will set you in the right mood for a good dinner .

(B,L,D) Chobe Game Lodge

03 OCT TUE Chobe’s size means that a game drive can last several hours. Rise before dawn if you will, and wrapped in a warm blanket, ride out in a 4 x 4 safari vehicle – open sided for the best viewing. October marks the end of the dry season and the animals gather at pools and river banks for their morning drink – predators too. There’s a very large elephant population in Chobe. The herds of impala are everywhere and beautiful Sable and Roan antelope may well be sighted. Birds on their southward flight across Africa will have reached Chobe by this time, joining many resident species. When you return to the lodge for breakfast, the sun will be high and the temperature quite hot. Many guests relax at the poolside terrace during the hot hours, until it is time to choose between an afternoon safari drive or sundown river cruise. Three delicious meals are served daily and the hard work of game tracking is rewarded with a sumptuous dinner on the terrace. (B,L,D) Chobe Game Lodge

04 OCT WED The wilderness experience changes from day to day, hour to hour. Today you may come across a pride of lions, or spot a leopard in a tree; possibly track a rhino through the bush. Whether you choose a river cruise or safari drive you will have another wonderful African adventure. (B,L,D) Chobe Game Lodge

05 OCT THU One more African dawn and it will be time to leave Chobe, retracing the route across the Zambezi to Livingstone. Our flight on South African Airways departs midday to Johannesburg, in good time to connect to overnight flights to the USA or Europe. (B) PRICE: $2,990 per person sharing double accommodations. Based on a group of 10-12 persons.

Supplement for single room: $650

INCLUDED: Land accommodations. Transfers, by land and water, game viewing drives by safari vehicle and boat with local guides. All meals as listed in the itinerary.

NOT INCLUDED: Scheduled air travel Johannesburg/ Livingstone round trip, estimated at $400 per person. Cape Town/Johannesburg flight not included in extension prices but can usually be included at nominal extra fare in an international flight from USA to South Africa. Full airline details and fare quotes will be provided on registration for this extension tour.

HEALTH CAUTION: Areas visited in this ‘Victoria Falls & Botswana’ safari lie within a designated malaria zone. Although no immunizations are required, public health organizations consider it vital for visitors to take anti-malaria prophylaxis before entering a malaria zone. Consult your personal health care provider.

The Okavango Delta - add to your wilderness experience with a private tour.

Instead of flowing to the sea the Okavango River goes the other way, its flood waters seeping into the sands of the Kalahari Desert. Scattered around the Delta, a couple of dozen safari camps each can accommodate about twenty fortunate guests. Botswana Conservation strictly limits safari operations in the Delta, aiming for low impact tourism that will benefit the local population while leaving the environment pristine.

As a participant in the Missouri Botanical Garden ‘Victoria Falls & Botswana’ you should consider adding the Okavango if you can possibly spare a few more days. You’ll be so near - less than an hour’s flight by light plane from Kasane - yet you may think you’ve landed on another planet. Xugana Island Lodge lies in the heart of the Delta, a water camp with structures raised on stilts. A two night stay is best, followed by a transfer to Camp Moremi for two nights in the Moremi Wildlife Reserve. This trip would end with an air transfer to Maun, to connect with airline service to Johannesburg.

The price for a 4 – night stay in the Okavango is approximately $2500 per person and includes all the usual safari activities as well as 3 light plane transfers. The airline fare from Maun to Johannesburg is offset by not requiring air service from Livingstone. Detailed safari and air travel prices will be provided on application. Because camps are few and the number of beds very limited, early booking is essential. Call Geostar at 1-800-624-6633 to add the Okavango. Note: this will be a private tour, not part of the Missouri Botanical Garden tour. Responsibility

GEOSTAR TRAVEL INC. of Santa Rosa CA (Geostar) the tour operator, and Missouri Bo- tanical Garden (MBG) act only as agent for the passenger in arranging transportation and other services related to this tour. Geostar as agent holds itself free of responsibility for dam- age occasioned from any cause. The airlines concerned are not to be held responsible for any act, omission or event during the time pas- sengers are not on board their aircraft. The usual passage contract used by the airlines, when issued, shall constitute the sole contract between such airlines and the passenger. Geostar, MBG and its agents will not be re- sponsible for any damage, expense or incon- venience caused by late departure, changes in schedules, strikes or other conditions. All such losses will have to be borne by the pas- senger as tour prices provide only for the pe- riod stated in the itinerary. The right is reserved to substitute accommodations and modes of transport and to make any changes in the itin- erary when deemed necessary or when caused by changes in airline schedules. Geostar, MBG and their agents and affiliates take no responsibility for special arrangements or for problems incurred by passengers physi- cally unable to participate in the planned ac- tivities. No refund can be made for absence from any part of the tour. The right is reserved to decline to accept or retain, any person as a tour member for any reason which affects the operation of the tour or the rights, welfare and enjoyment of other tour members. Geostar and MBG are not responsible or liable for de- faults of those not directly under their control. Travel insurance for trip cancellation, acci- dent and medical costs is available and is strongly recommended by Geostar.

GEOSTAR TRAVEL INC. 1100 College Avenue P O Box 1882 Santa Rosa CA 95402 (707)433-2503 (800)624-6633 www.Geostartravel.com

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